The cloud and breeze brought a most refreshing start to the day. Nevertheless, butterflies were on the wing and there were full clear views of the Isle of Wight.
A Robin fled the field gate it perched on before I got to open it. I admired the tangle of flowers consisting of Field Bindweed, Tufted Vetch and Thistle. Then the first, of what was to be the walk’s half dozen, Painted Lady butterfly with its patterned wings was noted. Today Gatekeepers followed by Meadow Browns were to be the most prevalent of their species.
Entering the tall uncut Saxon Meadow I enjoyed the flowers of: Red Bartsia, Fleabane, Corky Fruited Water Dropwort, Horseshoe Vetch, a patch of Rest Harrow, Greater Knapweed, Hops Vetch and fortunately very few Ragwort stems. Meanwhile, seeds were upon Yellow Rattle, Quaking Oat Grass, Pale Flax and amongst the burrs of Agrimony. Amongst otherwise green leaved hedgerows white Blackberry flowers and red, blue and yellow of Bittersweet stood out. Yesterday, it took some effort to harvest one mug full of ripe Blackberries. Durlston presented the same scenario.
I went to Saxon’s Hay Rake Quarr and found patch of tiny ground hugging Bastard Toadflax thanks to a practiced eye. Oddly, on the thin soils Eyebright stood two inches tall, yet Ox Eye Daises were stunted in comparison to elsewhere. Seed fluff of Kidney Vetch was evident. A call made me look up to see the male Stonechat perched ahead of me. Upon an Anthill were the dismembered wings of a Marbled White, fortunately I would see five living species flying about. Some twenty to thirty Gate Keepers were flushed as I walked the path hemmed in by scrub to Saxons Sycamore Corner (not soggy today!) Upon the downland Common Toadflax flowers were looking pale, indeed some had gone over.
The gully was relatively quiet; no Jackdaws were heard until near the mile markers. Hamish reported Grasshopper Warbler, Crossbill and a Clouded Yellow. Having the second wedding of this weekend, parts of the castle remain closed.